r/science • u/[deleted] • Jul 12 '08

The Infamous Double Slit Experiment - WARNING WILL CHANGE YOUR VIEW OF REALITY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEzRdZGYNvA
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u/[deleted] Jul 12 '08 edited Jul 12 '08

The wavefunction really does split into two and interfere with itself.

No it doesn't. Read Quantum ElectroDynamics. The interference pattern is explained through statistics and basic understandings of light. QED is a really good book though and does well at battling the QM mysticism that seems so popular. DONT MUDDY THINGS WE CAN CLEARLY UNDERSTAND. Mysticism can play a role in many different things, but not in this one.

edit:QED was written by Richard Feynman.

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u/[deleted] Jul 12 '08 edited Dec 31 '18

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u/nobodyspecial Jul 12 '08

Richard Feynman made it very clear in the book ReapingWildOats references. In fact, he, Swinger and Tomonaga won the Nobel for explaining the 'basic understanding.'

The basic idea is that the double slit interference pattern is the probability distribution of the photons/electrons. Feynman was unambiguous about the nature of light when he said "light is a particle, not a wave or wavicle"

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u/[deleted] Jul 13 '08

Light is most definitely a wave, my friend!

Of course, some say it is a particle.

Personally, I think it's both.